Offensive line doing all the dirty work for the Gators' success

LANCASTER AT GOOSEE CREEK

Goose Creek running back William Alston scores the touchdowns. Quarterback Donta Brown dazzles the crowd with his scrambling ability. William Glears jumps high into the air to make a sensational catch.

And, an anonymous group of players makes it all happen.

Grace Beahm
The Post and Courier

Goose Creek offensive line (left to right) (front) Dennis Large, Garrett Welch, Caleb McCutcheon, Deffick Johnson (back) Deshawn Knight, Daniel Berg and Tyler Neary.

The Goose Creek offensive line doesn't get the publicity, but Caleb McCutcheon, Tyler Neary, Derrick Johnson, Daniel Berg, Garrett Welch, Deshawn Knight and Dennis Large get plenty of praise from coach Chuck Reedy.

"We've taken a lot of pride, the last five or six years, in our offensive line," said Reedy, who was named coach of the beleaguered program in 2002 and turned the Gators into one of the best programs in the Lowcountry. "It's been kind of a tradition for the guys up front. Since 2004 we've rushed for 275-280 yards per game. That's what they take pride in. They are the guys who obviously make it happen."

The Gators hope to make it happen again today when Lancaster comes to town today for a Division II-AAAA playoff game featuring two teams with 9-3 records. If the Gators win, it will because the offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage.

The Gators run the ball so much that the 235-pound McCutcheon and 250-pound Neary are tights ends who are trapped in offensive linemen's bodies.

"Our tight ends have not caught a pass all year," Reedy admitted. "It's not necessarily by design, but it is because they provide extra blocking."

Berg, a 6-8, 350-pound right tackle, is the biggest of the bunch, while the center Large is the smallest of the bunch at 5-10, 210.

"Daniel is a big boy," Reedy said of his three-year starter. "He's been that big since the seventh grade. He doesn't have great feet, but he's still getting looked at by a lot of schools. Dennis plays with great enthusiasm. He's probably been the biggest surprise of the year. He's helped solidify the line."

The left guard Welch is a three-year starter, while the right guard Knight tips the scales at 300. Welch might be the Gators most unsung player. He's played consistently all season.

The Gators average 5.5 yards per carry, with Alston leading the way with 6.8 yards per carry and 1,143 yards gained for the season. Brown averages 5.3 yards per carry and needs 148 yards to top 1,000 for the season. Ranoy Hines has 609 yards rushing and Virgil Smalls has 530.

When the Gators pass the ball, Brown's favorite receiver is Glears, who has 33 catches for 526 yards and three scores.

"We have the ability to run off the option," Reedy said. "We run every type of option. We can run using power football. We just have to get into the game and see what they're giving. But we have to run the football. If we can't run, we won't win."

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